USS Tucson (SSN 770) is the second ship of the U.S. Navy to bear the name of this Arizona city. She is the 20th of the Improved-Los Angeles class attack submarine to be built. Her construction began on June 10, 1988 and her keel was laid on September 20, 1991. She was christened on March 19, 1994 by Ms. Diane C. Kent, wife of The Honorable Gerald A. Cann, former Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition.

The Tucson was supposed to be commissioned on August 18, 1995, however, Hurricane Felix threatened the Virginia coast, and the U.S. Navy decided to sortie the fleet, to prevent damage to ships in port if the hurricane made landfall. She was the last ship to leave port, in case the prediction for landfall changed. As it turned out, the hurricane never did make landfall, but the Tucson was at sea on 18th. Upon returning to port, the commissioning ceremony was quickly rescheduled for Sept. 9. The commanding officer, Cmdr. Duane M. Baker, declared that for the next two hours, it was officially August 18th.

July 9, 2003 The U.S. Navy’s new Tomahawk cruise missile, the Block IV, or Tactical Tomahawk, was launched from the nuclear-powered submarine SSN 770 in the waters of the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) sea test range off the coast of southern California. The event marked the first launch of the Tactical Tomahawk from an operational submarine launch platform. The missile will become operational in the middle of 2004.

July 20, The Tactical Tomahawk, configured with a live warhead, was launched from USS Tucson in the waters of the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) sea test range off the coast of southern California. The event marked the missile’s first live warhead shot from a submarine and the second launch of the Tactical Tomahawk from the Tucson using the new submarine Combat Control System (CCS MK 2).

May 19, 2004 USS Tucson departed homeport for a scheduled western Pacific deployment.

November 19, SSN 770 returned to Naval Station Pearl Harbor after a six-month underway period.

October 11, 2005 The attack submarine departed its homeport to participate in a Combined Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) off the coast of southern California. For approximately three weeks, her crew will conduct various Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), and Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) exercises as a part of the USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) Strike Group.

March 21, 2006 USS Tucson departed Pearl Harbor for a western Pacific deployment.

March 30, SSN 770 arrived in Yokosuka, Japan, for a scheduled port visit.

September 21, USS Tucson, commanded by Cmdr. Jimmy Pitts, returned to Pearl Harbor after six-month deployment. She visited Sasebo and Yokosuka, Japan; Saipan and Guam. In June, the Los Angeles-class attack submarine participated in Exercise Valiant Shield 2006 near Guam, providing anti-submarine warfare training to three aircraft carrier strike groups. It also participated in a bilateral exercise with the Royal Australian Navy, submarine HMAS Farncomb.

September 29, Cmdr. Paul D. Spear relieved Cmdr. James E. Pitts as CO of USS Tucson during a change of command ceremony held abard the sub at Pearl Harbor Naval Station.

January 25, 2007 SSN 770 departed homeport for a Depot Modernization Period in Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth, Virginia.

December 15, 2008 USS Tucson returned to Pearl Harbor after completing a DMP in NNSY.

February 27, 2009 Cmdr. Gary Pinkerton relieved Cmdr. Paul D. Spear as commanding officer of the Tucson.

April 8, 2010 USS Tucson departed Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam for a scheduled western Pacific deployment.

July 26, The Tucson is currently participating in a combined alliance maritime and air readiness Exercise Invincible Spirit, in the seas east of the Korean peninsula from July 25-28, along with the George Washington (CVN 73) CSG.